The State Fair of West Virginia in the 1940s
However the 1940s brought some changes to the annual event.
The State Fair of West Virginia in the Roaring 20s
On March 19, 1941, the fair became the State Fair of West Virginia from being previously known as the Greenbrier Valley Fair. The designation came after the fair's potential and popularity was recognized.
Although 1941 was an important year for the fair due to the change, events around the world affected the State Fair of West Virginia for many years in the 1940s.
World War II cancelled the fair in 1942, 1943, 1944, and 1945, according to information provided on the State Fair of West Virginia's website. The annual event did not make a return until 1946. Due to the cancellation of the fair in 1942, fairgoers had to wait to celebrate the 1941 designation of the State Fair.
In the link on the history section of the State Fair of West Virginia's website, the provided information stated that due to World War II, a decision was made by the Board of Governors that reportedly stated:
Fashion of the Fair: style trends throughout the last century at the State Fair of West Virginia
In taking assessment of the war situation, which has necessitated government restricting of the sale of auto tires, the rationing of gasoline, the regulation and the possible restrictions in the near future of all forms of travel and transportation except that which is absolutely necessary, we recognize an insurmountable obstacle in the way of conducting our fair and whereas, it is also our desire to conform to the cheerfully acquiesce in any action deemed necessary by the government in its war effort, now therefore, in it resolved that we abandon our efforts to operate this year and definitely call off our fair for 1942.
Early Fairs and State Fair History link in the history section on the State Fair of WV website
Events at the State Fair of West Virginia in the 1940s included events such as horse shows, draft horse shows, horse/harness racing, beef and dairy cattle shows, livestock judging, poultry and fowl exhibits, dog shows, agriculture shows, 4-H Club shows, and fireworks.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hamilton Spectator
32 minutes ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Birmingham gives an emotional farewell to Ozzy Osbourne as tearful family lead tributes
BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) — Ozzy Osbourne returned to the 'home of metal' for the last time on Wednesday as an emotional Birmingham honored one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans paid their respects to the band's frontman as his hearse made its way through the city center followed by his tearful wife and children. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at the age of 76 , went down Broad Street, one of the city's major thoroughfare, to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,' fans screamed. Six vehicles carrying the Osbourne family followed the hearse, accompanied by police motorcycle riders and a police car. The family emerged briefly to inspect the array of tributes, with his wife of 43 years, Sharon, visibly moved and wiping away tears. And long after the hearse had moved on for the private funeral, the city, which has embraced its reputation as the citadel of heavy metal, was pounding to the beat of Black Sabbath. It was in Birmingham, where he grew up, that the world-conquering heavy metal band was formed in 1968. Osbourne embraced the city in central England as much as it embraced him, as was evident on the streets. Long-time fan Antony Hunt said it has been an 'emotional' day and that he wanted to be in the city to pay his respects. 'What's amazing is there's so many, such a wide variety of age groups, from little, little children, teenagers to people in their 60s, 70s, so it's great to see that,' he said. Katie Brazier, head of events at Birmingham City Council, said Osbourne meant 'everything' to the city. 'He never forgot where he came from,' she said. 'You could still hear that Brummie accent wherever he was, you know, I think some people have hidden away from the fact that they are from Birmingham and they've got that accent but he kept it all the way through.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates — Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward — were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city's manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots. The band has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies. Osbourne was Black Sabbath's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s. His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by drink and drugs. He was widely known as the 'Prince of Darkness.' The band's eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's 'Master of Reality' and 'Vol. 4' a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At the final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show 'The Osbournes' in which he starred alongside Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack. ___ Pylas contributed from London.
Boston Globe
2 hours ago
- Boston Globe
Birmingham, the home of metal, honors Ozzy Osbourne as hearse passes through
A hearse carrying the late Ozzy Osbourne arrives at Black Sabbath Bridge as his funeral cortege travels through his home city of Birmingham. Leon Neal/Getty 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,' fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Six vehicles carrying the Osbourne family, who paid for the procession, followed. The family emerged briefly, with his wife of 43 years Sharon visibly moved. Advertisement Long-time fan Antony Hunt said it has been an 'emotional' day and that he wanted to be in the city to pay his respects. 'What's amazing is there's so many, such a wide variety of age groups, from little, little children, teenagers to people in their 60s, 70s, so it's great to see that,' he said. (L-R) Jack Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne and Kelly Osbourne leave after viewing tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne from fans. Leon Neal/Getty Since Osbourne's death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, the singer was metal's godfather. 'Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham," said city official Zafar Iqbal. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. Advertisement Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city's manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots, and his Brummie accent remained. Black Sabbath has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s. His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by drink and drugs. He was widely known as the 'Prince of Darkness.' The band's eponymous debut album in 1970 made the UK top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's 'Master of Reality' and 'Vol. 4' a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. Fans gather at Black Sabbath Bridge after members of the Osbourne family visit to view tributes to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Leon Neal/Getty At the final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show 'The Osbournes' in which he starred alongside Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
NBC News
4 hours ago
- NBC News
Birmingham, the home of metal, honors Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse makes way through city
The "home of metal" is honoring one of its most cherished sons. Thousands of Black Sabbath fans were paying their respects Wednesday to frontman Ozzy Osbourne as his hearse made its way through the streets of Birmingham, the English city where he grew up and where the band was formed in 1968. The hearse carrying Osbourne, who died last Tuesday at the age of 76, was making its way down Broad Street, the city's major thoroughfare, to the Black Sabbath bench, which was unveiled on the Broad Street canal bridge in 2019. 'Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy, oi, oi, oi,' fans screamed as the hearse arrived. Six vehicles carrying the Osbourne family, who paid for the procession, followed. The family emerged briefly, with his wife of 43 years Sharon, visibly moved. Since his death was announced, fans have made pilgrimages to sites around Birmingham, which has embraced its reputation as the birthplace of heavy metal. Among his peers, Osbourne was metal's godfather. 'Ozzy was more than a music legend — he was a son of Birmingham,' said city official Zafar Iqbal. 'We know how much this moment will mean to his fans.' Osbourne and his Black Sabbath bandmates, Terence Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, were recently awarded the Freedom of the City in recognition of their services to Birmingham. 'I think he really impacted everyone here, especially in Birmingham as well,' said fan Evie Mayo. 'Now that he's not here anymore, you can feel the impact of it. He inspired a lot of people and he was a great person.' Black Sabbath's story began in Birmingham in 1968 when the four original members were looking to escape a life of factory work. Without doubt, the sound and fury of heavy metal had its roots in the city's manufacturing heritage. Osbourne never forgot his working-class roots, and his Brummie accent remained. Black Sabbath has been widely credited with defining and popularizing the sound of heavy metal — aggressive, but full of melodies. Osbourne was the band's frontman during its peak period in the 1970s. His antics, on and off stage, were legendary, and often fueled by copious amounts of drinks and drugs. He was widely known as the 'Prince of Darkness.' The band's eponymous debut album in 1970 made the U.K. top 10 and paved the way for a string of hit albums, including 1971's 'Master of Reality' and 'Vol. 4' a year later. It went on to become one of the most influential and successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide. At the final show on July 5, 42,000 fans watched the band perform for the first time in 20 years at Villa Park, home of the city's biggest soccer club, Aston Villa, with Osbourne seated on a black throne. Osbourne had been in poor health in recent years, especially after being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019. Osbourne, who also had a successful solo career, found a new legion of fans in the early 2000s reality show 'The Osbournes' in which he starred alongside Sharon and two youngest children, Kelly and Jack.
